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Hispanic American Diversity

A brief summary of the linguistic, political, social, economic, religious, and familial status of the Mexican American, Puerto Rican American, Cuban American, and Dominican American ethnic groups.

Mexican, Puerto Rican, Cuban, and Dominican Americans have a lot in common and yet they remain separate ethnic groups and are descended from various ancestors. Many of these people come to the United States for political asylum. Many immigrate to the United States in search of the American Dream. Traditionally, Americans have not initially been accepting of immigrants upon their arrival to the United States. However, many ethnic groups have successfully been able to carve out their own place on American soil. While acceptance is not readily given to new arrivals, tolerance of different ethnic groups appears to be increasing.

Mexican Americans

Mexican Americans are a diverse people who have attained socioeconomic, linguistic assimilation, and legal status. They are in pursuit of the American Dream. They work hard to escape the humble status of the earlier generations. The earlier generations are excluded from the above group, due to not having legal status in the United States. Mexican Hispanics who are born in the United States or have lived here for 10 years speak English well. English is the dominant language by the second generation. By the third generation English is the only language spoken. The apparent predominance of Spanish use by Hispanics is due to recent immigration. Mexican Americans do not have many businesses or a wide-spread ethnic economy like the Cuban Americans established in Miami. Throughout the history of Mexican immigration to America, Mexicans seem to have made little progress in moving up from immigrant farm workers to a higher status, partly due to the amount of discrimination and the poor educational systems provided to them.

Puerto Rican Americans

The majority of Puerto Ricans are Roman Catholics, mixed with various...